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USAR team 756 Trains in Extrication Procedures: Story by Staff Captain Houston Park, photo by Captain Lenny Collins. Posted on January 30^th , 2006

Earlier this month USAR team 756 was training in extrication procedures at the recycle facility of off Pike road. The team members participated in a forty-hour class involving various techniques for gaining patient access, scene safety, and technical operations. While training they went through 1.2 cars per person. Rescue Training Associates delivered the training as they have also delivered the other three disciplines, Trench Rescue, Rope Rescue and Confined Space Operations. RTA will deliver the final class next month to the team, which is Collapse Rescue Operations. Upon completion of this training our USAR team will have met the standards for the state as a fully trained USAR Light Technical Rescue Team, Type II response team.

We are one of three teams in the County, Boynton Beach and West Palm Beach are the others.
Aircraft Flips on Landing at Lantana Airport: Story and Photo by Captain Don Delucia. Posted on January 24^th , 2006

On January 24, 2006 just before 11 AM, a 2-seater Cessna aircraft attempted to land at the Lantana airport and ended up upside down in the grass. The pilot was uninjured but shaken up. Luckily there was neither a fuel leak nor any type of fire involved. Four people were able to flip the plane upright so that it could be towed to a hanger for inspection. Runway 15 was closed for a short period of time until the aircraft could be moved.

Units on scene included: RE35, R35, DC9, BC9, and DC8.
Luncheon Hosted for the Division of Forestry: Story by District Chief Howes, photos by District Chief Enos. Posted on January 24^th , 2006

Lieutenant Dan Legge's crew at station 21 hosted a luncheon for the Division of Forestry firefighters. For those who are not familiar with wildland fire, the DOF guys are the ones plowing lines up close and personal with the fire. In Battalion 2 we still have our share of brush fires, and a tractor plow putting in control lines makes our job a lot easier and a whole lot safer. For the past several years we have hosted them for lunch to promote an exchange of information and ideas and to show our appreciation for their work.
Company Officer Leadership Class: Story and Photo by Training Division. Posted on January 24^th , 2006

Retired Battalion Chief Mike Kemp and District Chief Daryl Newport were back with PBCFR to teach a one-week Leadership class. A total of 39 personnel gained valuable insight into the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to be an effective Company Officer. These two instructors have over 48 years of experience between them.
Duplex Fire in Newton Woods: Story and photos by Capt Don Delucia. Posted on January 24^th , 2006

A kitchen fire at 6132 Newton Woods Drive in suburban West Palm Beach spread rapidly through the unit destroying much of one half of the duplex. Some smoke and water damage affected the adjoining apartment. After the initial fire was knocked down, crews had the labor intensive task of digging into the blown insulation in the attic which was smoldering and continuing to affect the building.

Units on scene included E34, E24, R23, DC10, PI1, EMS3, RE33, R34, EMS2, BC3, LA34, RQ29 and IV3.
Wellington Fire in Polo Club Subdivision: Story and photos by Capt Don Delucia. Posted on January 24^th , 2006

At approximately 1145 AM a fire was reported at 13400 Polo Rd W in Wellington. The resident came home to find smoke and flames coming from her detached garage. An employee at the nearby Players Club ran over and partially extinguished the fire with an extinguisher as our units were arriving. The damage to the garage was minimal. Due to the quick action of the individual with the extinguisher and the 5 minute response time of units from Station 27, the wood frame garage (which was within 15-20 feet of the resuidence) was kept from becoming a good sized bonfire.

Units on scene included: RE27, R27, RE20, EMS2, DC2, and PIO 1.
Two Story House Fire in Royal Palm Beach: Story and photos by Lt. Mark Carr. Posted on January 20^th , 2006

On January 14, Fire Rescue units responded to a reported house fire near the Black Diamond development on the West side of 441 in Royal Palm Beach.Before the crews even arrived, they could see a large column of black smoke coming from the vicinity of the call. RQ29 arrived first and reported one side of a 2-story structure was fully involved in fire. Luckily, strong winds at the time were from the South which helped keep the fire on one end of the wood frame home. The fire was quickly extinguished without incident. This fire was later determined to be caused by some faulty stereo equipment in a wood cabinet.

Units on scene included RQ29, E34, R34, DC3, EMS2, PI1, E25, R25, EMS3, IC4 and LA34.
Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue by Air: Story and photos by Lt. Mark V. Carr. Posted on January 19^th , 2006

Most of us are quite familiar with the view of a fire station from the street. Often, there's a blinking traffic light on the road in front of the station, sometimes, the chariots of fire are sitting out in the sun shining for all the world to see, and occasionally, we encounter the fire engine screaming from the confines of the station on a mission to save the world. But, it's not often that we notice these homes of the heroes from the air. I was able to do just that recently on a helicopter trip throughout the northern sections of Palm Beach County.

Pictured are several stations from Battalion 8 at Palm Beach Int'l Airport, to Battalions 1 through 3 in the north-central county.
Mutual Aid Fire With City of Lake Worth: Story by Capt. Don Delucia, photos by Drew Reyburn and Capt. Don Delucia. Posted on January 19^th , 2006

On Sunday January 15, Palm Beach County Fire Rescue units responded to a mutual aid fire with the City of Lake Worth. Lake Worth Fire had most of their units committed to a multi-car traffic accident on I-95 and only had one Engine with two personnel available. Heavy smoke was reported coming from an apartment located at 302 Lake Osborne Drive. When PBCFR units arrive about a minute after the Lake Worth Engine, all apartments were evacuated. The occupant of the fire apartment had already exited safely.

The fire was quickly knocked down but it took awhile for smoke to be ventilated from a number of other apartments. The cause of the fire was attributed to smoking in bed. The Red Cross was contacted for the displaced victim. Units on scene included LW E92, RE31, R31, DC9, EMS9, R35, BC3, RE36, PI1
Fire-Rescue Lieutenants Get Aircraft Rescue Training: Story and photos by Lt. Mark Carr. Posted on January 18^th , 2006

Aircraft rescue firefighting is a specialized field that most passengers of the nation's airlines rarely think about. Unfortunately, however, calls for assistance by airport firefighters do occur and the crews of Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue's Station 81 at Palm Beach Int'l Airport stand ready to serve at a moment's notice.

Recently, two Fire-Rescue lieutenants attended Aircraft Rescue Fire-Fighting (ARFF) training at Texas A&M University's Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) Fire Academy in College Station, Texas. Although the weather was much colder than Florida firefighters are accustomed to working in, Lieutenants Jose Gonzalez and Mark Carr, were able to experience the unique situations involved with fuel fires, aircraft crashes and rescues. Live fire scenarios, as well as classroom sessions prepared the students for operations in and around airports as well as dealing with the complexities of an incident of such magnitudes.
Firefighters Bring Christmas to St. Marys Hospital: Story by Lt. Douglas McGlynn, Photos by Lt. Douglas McGlynn & Captain Don Delucia. Posted on January 18^th , 2006

The Customer Service Team joined forces with members of Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue and The PBC FOOLS in delivering Santa Claus to The Nicklaus Children's Center at St. Mary's Hospital. This is the 2nd Annual Toy Drive for the Hospital since it's Grand Opening early last year.

We have Santa ride into the Children's Center atop Buddy Yarbrough's open cab fire truck with over two dozen of Santa's favorite helpers consisting of both on and off duty firefighters from all over the department in addition to Santa's elves. A combined collection of 200 gifts and toys were collected from the McGlynn Annual Benefit and The FOOLS Annual Christmas party in order to put smiles on nearly 50 unfortunate boys and girls that spent their holidays in hospital beds this Christmas Eve.

Afterwards, firefighters went over to Trauma ICU to visit injured, brother firefighter Vince Merriweather who was showing signs of improvement with sensation and movement in his legs. It is events like these that allow us to put our own lives back into perspective and remind us what truly is important!

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